http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B...EMPLATE=DEFAULT <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Wizards 71 Spurs 95 Malik Rose scored 23 points, Tim Duncan had 17, and the San Antonio Spurs overcame a lethargic start at the end of a road trip to beat the Washington Wizards 95-71 Saturday night. Duncan and the Spurs were sloppy early on, but San Antonio's defense shut down Washington over the final three quarters to make the game a rout. The Wizards shot just 7-of-36 in the second and third quarters. Duncan, who committed four turnovers in the first quarter, added 13 rebounds for the Spurs, who went 2-1 on their swing through New Jersey, Philadelphia and Washington. Rose was 10-for-15 from the field, scoring 15 points in the second half. Gilbert Arenas scored 14 points on 4-for-19 shooting to lead the Wizards, who have lost four straight. Larry Hughes had 10 points before he was ejected in the second quarter for throwing the ball downcourt in frustration after being called for a foul.</div> Rose played very well once again and dominated the Wizards....Duncan seems to be in MVP form.After the first quarter the Wizards were just horrible Some other notes San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said guard Anthony Carter, on the injured list with knee tendinitis, is expected to resume practicing Monday. The status of Ron Mercer (inflamed left ankle) is less certain. "He just seems to still have some pain," Popovich said. ... Facing a lineup with two 7-footers, Washington coach Eddie Jordan started Brendan Haywood at center instead of Christian Laettner. Haywood had barely played the previous five games after starting the first three of the season. ... Washington's Etan Thomas got the game's third technical for arguing a foul call in the fourth quarter.
